Metal framing member with cut-out chase

ABSTRACT

A metal framing member for use as a stud, joist, rafter, truss, etc. is disclosed. The framing member includes a cut out chase to allow wiring or a stiffening rod to pass through the member. The cut out flap is bent at about a 90° angle to the member and is provided with attachment holes to clip the wiring or stiffening rod to the framing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to dwelling framing members, and in particular, to a chase in such members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Structural members are frequently made of metal, as it is advantages over wooden structural members. Compared to wood, metal is insect proof, fire proof, and has high uniformity and strength. However, its use is limited due to high cost, erection problems, and handling difficulties. U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,804, issued to Attalla, addresses some of these concerns. The patent discloses an improved metal framing member that utilizes stiffening sections to enable lighter gauge of metal to be used. The framing member also features embossed surfaces that facilitate fastening using standard self-tapping fasteners. Safety edges are provided to eliminate the sharp edge problem of handling metal framing members.

[0003] In addition to the above concerns, a framing member often must be provided with a chase to allow wiring or other objects to pass through the member. Introducing this chase after the framing member has been fabricated, as well as clipping or attaching the wiring to the member, can be tedious and time consuming. The patent mentioned above does not address this concern.

[0004] Therefore, what is needed is an improved metal framing member that includes a preformed chase and a means of clipping objects passing through the chase to the member. A metal framing member including such a chase and that is low cost and can be handled safely is not found in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a metal framing member including a pre-fabricated chase. The framing member has a substantially rectangular bottom portion. Two stiffeners run longitudinally along the bottom portion. A chase is cut out of the bottom portion between the two stiffeners. The punch flap resulting from the cut out chase is bent perpendicular to the bottom portion and is provided with fastener holes. The bent punch flap operates with a fastener as a clip to attach objects passing through the chase to the framing member.

[0006] Left and right rectangular side sections are substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion containing the stiffeners. The side sections have radiused edges along their top and bottom lengths. The bottom lengths join the left and right edges of the bottom section respectively. Rectangular returns are attached to each side section so that the returns are substantially perpendicular to the side sections. The returns are substantially parallel to the bottom portion.

[0007] Therefore, it is an aspect of this invention to provide an improved metal framing member.

[0008] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a framing member with a prefabricated chase.

[0009] It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a metal framing member with a means to secure objects passing through a chase to the framing member.

[0010] These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view with a partial cut away view of the framing member with a cut out race and a bent punch flap.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a cut out detail illustrating the race of the framing member.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top view of the bent punch flap.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the framing member illustrating the stiffeners used in the preferred embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the framing member without the stiffeners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates metal framing member 10 with chase 12 and bent punch flap 14. Chase 12 is located centrally in bottom section 16, which runs the length of framing member 10. Bottom section 16 is generally 6″ to 8″ wide. In the preferred embodiment, bottom section 16 includes stiffeners 18, which run longitudinally along bottom section 16. Chase 12 is centrally located between stiffeners 18.

[0017] Chase 12 is shown in detail in FIG. 2. Chase 12 is cut out of bottom portion 16 in an area preferably no greater than 2″×2″. In the preferred embodiment, chase 12 is 1 {fraction (11/16)}″×1{fraction (11/16)}″, with upper end 20 of the chase having a radius of ⅞″ instead of being cut square. Flap 14 is not completely severed from chase 12, but is connected along lower edge 22. Preferably, flap 14 is folded up at lower edge 22 so that flap 14 is perpendicular to raised center section 16.

[0018]FIG. 3 details flap 14. Flap 14 acts as a clip for any objects passing through chase 12. Wiring or other objects may be passed from one side of the framing member to the other through chase 12. These objects may then be fastened to flap 14 without adding additional clips. In the preferred embodiment, two holes 24 are drilled into flap 14 to serve as fastener holes. One hole 24 is positioned ½″ from lower edge 22, while the other is positioned ½″ from rounded edge 26. Holes 24 are otherwise centered on flap 14. Holes 24 preferably have a radius of {fraction (3/32)}″ and are capable of receiving fasteners (not shown) to attach wiring or stiffening rods to flap 14.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 1, metal framing member 10 includes left and right rectangular sections 28. Rectangular side sections 28 are preferably at least 1⅝″ in length, but may vary depending on the particular need for the framing member. Rectangular side sections 28 share an edge with bottom section 16 and are substantially perpendicular to bottom section 16 while being parallel to each other. At the distal ends of rectangular side sections 28 are left and right rectangular returns 30. Left and right rectangular returns 30 are preferably perpendicular to rectangular side sections 28 and parallel to bottom section 16.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a cross section of metal framing member 10, including stiffeners 18 that run the length of the member. Stiffeners 18 are ideally located on bottom section 16 about 1½″ to 2″ in from rectangular side sections 28, depending on the width of bottom section 16. As can be seen from FIG. 4, rectangular returns 30 do not generally extend out over stiffeners 18. It can also be seen that corners 32, formed where rectangular side sections 28 meet bottom section 16, and corners 34, formed where rectangular returns 30 meet rectangular side sections 28, may be radiused edges rather than sharp corners.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross section of an alternate embodiment of framing member 10. In this embodiment, bottom section 16 does not include stiffeners 18. Rather, bottom section 16 is flat across its entire width other than chase 12 and flap 14.

[0022] Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal framing member comprising: a rectangular bottom section having left and right substantially parallel edges along the length of said bottom section, said bottom section also having top and bottom surfaces; a chase having a lower edge, said chase disposed in said bottom section and allowing passage to and from said top surface and said bottom surface of said bottom section; and a punch flap cut from said chase disposed at said lower edge of said chase; wherein objects are passed through said framing member by way of said chase, and wherein said objects are secured against said punch flap.
 2. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 1 further comprising left and right rectangular side portions having upper and lower edges, wherein said lower edges are attached to said left and right edges of said bottom section.
 3. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 2 further comprising left and right rectangular returns, wherein said returns are attached to said upper edges of said left and right rectangular side portions.
 4. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 1, wherein said punch flap further comprises a surface having a plurality of fastening holes, and wherein said objects passed through said chase are secured to said punch flap with said fastening holes.
 5. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 4, wherein said punch flap is substantially perpendicular to said bottom section.
 6. A metal framing member comprising: a rectangular bottom section having left and right substantially parallel edges along the length of said bottom section, said bottom section also having top and bottom surfaces; left and right rectangular side portions having upper and lower edges, said lower edges being attached to said left and right edges of said bottom section; left and right rectangular returns, said returns being attached to said upper edges of said left and right rectangular side portions; a chase having a lower edge, said chase disposed in said bottom section, said chase allowing passage to and from said top surface and said bottom surface of said bottom section; and a punch flap cut from said chase disposed at said lower edge of said chase; wherein objects are passed through said framing member by way of said chase, and wherein said objects are secured against said punch flap.
 7. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 6, wherein said punch flap further comprises a surface having a plurality of fastening holes, and wherein said objects passed through said chase are secured to said punch flap with said fastening holes.
 8. The metal framing member as claimed in claim 7, wherein said punch flap is substantially perpendicular to said bottom section. 